Jenkins’ big night

OXNARD, Calif. – The spotlight will be on first-round draft pick Mike Jenkins when the Cowboys kick off the preason Saturday night at San Diego.

Jenkins, a former standout at South Florida, will start at left corner in place of the injured Terence Newman.

“Jenkins has played well, although he needs work with zone coverage,” Wade Phillips said. “He’s a real natural player as far as being able to change directions and being able to run with people. He knocks a lot of balls out. He has those long arms. He probably has as many as those as anybody we have.”

I think it’s safe to say Jenkins will contribute immediately this season. He’s smart, coachable, a hard worker, and, like Phillips says, has all the tools needed to be a lockdown corner in the NFL.